UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Exploring Prince George's Identity Through Award-Winning Historical Research

Megan Yaskow, a now fourth-year History major in the Bachelor of Arts program at UNBC, was honoured with the prestigious W. Kaye Lamb Award for Best Student Work by the British Columbia Historical Federation. Her essay, Wilderness to Wonderland: Prince George's Anxious Ambition and the 1958 British Columbian Centennial, earned her the $1,000 first prize in the third- and fourth-year category.

Yaskow's research explores the 1958 British Columbian centennial and its role in shaping Prince George's identity. She examines how the event became a turning point, a celebration that prompted the city to reflect on its unique municipal heritage and inspired the beginnings of modern tourism in the northern capital.

"The centennial served as a catalyst for new cohesion in Prince Georgian character, fostering a sense of identity that remains integral to the city today," Yaskow explains.

Her journey at UNBC has been significantly shaped by hands-on experiences at the Northern BC Archives and local museums. These opportunities deepened her interest in public history and heritage studies, reinforcing her passion for preserving and understanding British Columbia's rich history.

"Working at the Northern BC Archives has been an invaluable experience," Yaskow says. "It not only complemented my academic studies but also inspired my research direction, particularly in the heritage sector."

While Yaskow was gaining hands-on experience as a curatorial assistant at Barkerville, her work was interrupted in July when the historic site was evacuated due to nearby wildfires. Despite this challenge, she remains committed to deepening her expertise in heritage and museum studies and continues to contribute to the understanding of British Columbian history.

"Megan's work exemplifies the kind of rigorous, thoughtful research we encourage. Her dedication to uncovering the nuances of local history, combined with her ability to connect broader themes to the community of Prince George, makes her an outstanding scholar," says UNBC Department of History chair Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot. "We are incredibly proud of her accomplishment and excited to see how her future research develops."

As Yaskow looks ahead to the next steps in her academic and professional journey, her achievements reflect the impact of dedicated research and the support of a close-knit academic community at UNBC.